This size cigar is usually 50 ring x 5″. The robusto size cigar gained popularity in the mid-1980's. When introduced, it was considered a short Churchill. Today, smokers have discovered the benefits of the rich flavor produced by a large ring gauge cigar combined with the relatively short smoking time of 30 minutes to 75 minutes. The time it takes to smoke a robusto depends on the smokers mood and the level of conditioning the cigar has received.

Each cigar was smoked shortly after they were obtained from retail stores. Each store had humidified storage rooms. The production dates located on the bottom of each box indicated that these cigars were offered about 75-120 days after their manufacture. When new, all cigars (except #9) were dryer than optimal, smoked rapidly tasted hot.

In about one year, each cigar was totally conditioned (14% of the cigars weight was moisture), and began of offer a most pleasant smoking experience. After three years of proper storage each cigar developed great character and offered the smoker a most flavorful and rewarding experience. All cigars were very well made.

#01 Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure #2. New, this cigar had no flavor and effect. In one year it tasted better, without effect. In three years, it offered a nice mild taste with a very mild effect.

#02 El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme. New, a light flavor and little effect. In one year, a sweet taste and mild effect. In three years a honey taste and mild effect. A summertime smoke.

#03 H. Upmann Connoisseur #1. New, this cigar had mild taste and mild effect. In one year, a mild to medium taste and effect. In three years, a medium rich flavor and medium to full bodied effect. A world class afternoon or evening smoke.

#06 Saint Luis Rey robusto. New, mild to medium taste, some effect. In one year, medium to full taste and nice effect. In three years, rich taste and medium to full bodied effect. Nice after a medium to heavy lunch. A cigar for experienced smokers.

#07 Juan Lopez #2. New, medium flavor and effect. In one year, rich flavor and medium to full effect. In three years, rich flavor and rewarding effect. Very nice after a heavy lunch.

#08 Romeo y Julieta Exhibition #4. New, medium flavor and effect. In one year, rich flavor and medium to full bodied effect. In three years, rich flavor and full bodied effect. Brilliant smoke. #09 Cohiba robusto. New, medium rich flavor and effect. In one year, rich taste and medium to full effect. In three years, rich flavor and rewarding effect. The only cigar ready to smoke out of the box. This is a robusto with class. Expensive.

#10 Ramon Allones Specially Selected. New, mild to medium flavor with medium effect. In one year, medium rich taste and fuller effect. In three years, rich flavor and full bodied effect. This robusto develops complex flavors and a rewarding effect.

#11 Bolivar Royal Corona. New, little flavor and medium effect. In one year, medium to full taste and strong effect. In three years, rich flavor and heavy effect. A powerful robusto.

#12 Partagas Serie D #4. New, medium flavor and effect. In one year, rich flavor and strong effect. In three years, deep rich flavor and a very powerful effect. This is a lights out cigar.

This tasting of 12 of Cuba's finest robustos was performed over 3 1/2 years. With the exception of the Vega Robania and the Montecristo robusto. These cigars were introduced in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Each of the cigars were smoked and evaluated when they were store obtained, at one year and finally at three years. All cigars were kept at 70ºF with a relative humidity (RH) of 72%, using HUMATIC® systems.